Tkers...Killing threads seven days a week!

[MagiKitty]

I want a baby now. Have to tell the BF Friday.

 

[JOCAmom]

Awww, great pic!!!! I guess y'all didn't get kicked out of the hotel tonight?

 

[MagiKitty]

I did have to sneak a pitcher of sangria through the lobby, but we weren't the only ones drinking. We just took over the deck though.

 

[JOCAmom]

And how did you sneak the pitcher of sangria through the lobby?

 

[MagiKitty]

in M&N's insulated cooler and very careful walking! It was quite yummy too.

 

[JOCAmom]

Ya see, I just pictured you all forming a big circle around whomever was carrying the pitcher to hide it. Your idea works much better.

 

[lighttech]

So glad you all had fun!

What a beautiful baby boy!!!

 

[D&DDisney]

Hello All,

We are all safe after the tornado. Thank you God! We've been kinda walking around in shock for the past few days and I think its finally hitting us about what actually happened here Mon night. We made it to our basement just minutes before the tornado touched down. Could feel our ears pop and then the sound of breaking glass and loud crashes filled the air. A strong breeze came rushing down the steps and we knew things were bad upstairs. Water came leaking into basement too. Our kitchen is trashed, wood floor ruined and carpeting throughout the house is embeded with glass. Shards of glass embeded in the cabinets, fridge, and walls. Large gouges (sp?)in the counters

Our house is quite damaged. Broken windows, water damage, glass EVERYWHERE, holes in side of house, roof damage, items impaled in our house (some coming through to inside), garage door sucked in, and lots of tree and landscaping damage. We thought we had it bad until we finally got to tour the rest of the neighborhood last night and then we knew our damage was minor compared to others. Homes literally lifted off the foundation and dropped down. Looked like the wizard of Oz house. Some homes completely blow away leaving nothing but the basement.

Power finally came back on last night so at least we could try and sleep cooler last night and not just all huddle around our camping lanterns and flashlights. Luckily I had a bunch of batteries on hand and frozen jugs of water in the freezer in anticipation of camping season. I guess all our camping experience came in handy.

We're still waiting for the insurance adjuster to come through to tell us what will be covered.
I'll try to post pics on FB later.

This was truly a horrible experience and VERY scary. Kids seem okay but do show signs of trauma. We keep assuring them they are safe and how lucky we are to all be together and alive after that. It will probably take a few nights of sleeping in the same room to reassure them that everything is fine.

I want to say that this town has really pulled together for each other and the EMS team has been outstanding. OUr EMS team is volunteer and they were out helping out others when their homes were destroyed. The fire cheif's house was destroyed and family trapped in basement while he was at the station trying to activate the sirens. Remarkable!!!
Also, the REd Cross has been wonderful too. Riding around giving us water, food, toiletries, etc. You know of the great work they do but you never realize how GREAT it is until you are the recipiant of that charity!

Thanks for all your prayers and concern. I'll try to get back later and update. Right now I have to get back to clean up.

You all are the best group of friends anywhere!!!!

Have fun in Hershey.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

D&D, how terrifying! I'm so thankful that you and your family are alright. I hope the rest of town has been as fortunate. I'm glad to hear there is support for the entire town. Good luck with the insurance and the clean up. I wish I could help.

 

[JOCAmom]

Hey D&D....I'm so glad you were able to check in today. Thank God none of you were hurt. I've been following the news from out your way since MK let us know what had happened. I saw about the fire chief's home. I must say, in all that I have read these past few days, your town has been phenomenal in the way everyone has banded together. Prayers to all of you.

Keep us updated when you can and if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.

 

[Sukie]

Hi Deb. Thank you so much for for the update. We were all so worried. Holding all of you up in prayer.

 

[M&N]

What a wonderful time. It had it's sad moments too...especially missing those who could not come and D&D's horrible time. There was a tornado about 5 miles from Hershey. A storm went through today too...saw several trees down on the way back to the hotel afterwards-about 2:30. It looked like lightning hit them.
You know Walter was there---his mom and dad were very kind and let us hold him and make a fuss over him. But let me tell you, it6 was not a hard thing to do. He is really a sweetheart. LITC has the muscles, let me tell you...that boy is a solid little thing. He just like studies you with a serious little mouth...you think he's almost going to cry but then those lips turn up and you are a gonner. He is not going to be an easy thing to tell no to!
Pikester was very surprised with the 'party' at the picnic. We started singing Happy Birthday and LITC was handing her the cake and she finally realized what it was for!
The one downer that night was worry about DL55...could not get in touch with her. He's been out camping and missed out on the final plans...didn't have our numbers and didn't know last names. She found the hotel but didn't find us. She knew we were there...saw Kitty's car---cannot miss the Hello Kitty things in it! So we found her note this afternoon and called her again. We had the wrong number. So we finally met her and her dh...ate at the park with them and rode rides. You will not believe the rides they were on. They should be the ones living nearest to HP...I will not go on some of those coasters.
So I had to say bye to all my TKer friends til the next time...I am tired!
Have a great weekend and safe travel to all...

 

[JOCAmom]

Thanks for the update, M&N. I hope you all took lots of pictures for us.

 

[mariezp]

D&D, you have been in my thoughts and prayers. I can only begin to imagine what a feeling of chaos you have been feeling the last few days! Thank heavens you had a basement to get safely into when the tornado came. I am sure the whole family will be shook up for quite a while. It's got to be a tremendous comfort to have so many people rallying together to offer help and support. You let us know if there is anything we can do to help out.


Loved the TKer picture. Ya'll are a beautiful bunch of ladies but gotta say that Walter steals the show! Kitty, I hope your dear BF is willing to be cooperative on the baby request. Glad for the update. Had no doubt that everyone would be having fun. Sure wish the rest of us could have been there too. Happy birthday, Stef!

M&N, congrats on getting your flight booked. That is always an exciting part of planning. I am currently watching and hoping for the airfare prices to go down for our DL trip in November. Trying to hold out but I don't know how long I can go before I crack!



Small beans in comparison to what Deb has been going through but we had some strong winds around here too today. DH has an airplane that he keeps about 10 miles away. They had some straight line winds that blew in the doors to a bunch of hangers and damaged several airplanes. DH's just happened to be one of them. I am glad he wasn't up there when it happened. They had to call in a wrecker to move the doors, that right now are resting on top of his plane, so we won't know how much damage until morning. Pretty freaky what storms can do.

Night everyone... especially to the ladies who have been keeping the candle burning til the rest of our bunch gets back!

 

[lilmissdisney216]

D&D, I can only imagine how frightening that must be! So glad and thankful that you and your family are okay! We had alot of severe weather roll through here as well this past Wednesday night. Funnel clouds sighted maybe about 15 mins away from the house. I'm a huge sucker when it comes to a storm so I was a wreck times eleventy seven! But thankfully, no one was injured and the funnel cloud didn't touch down in our area but did effect some others in other cities.

To those who went to Hershey, looks like you guys had a blast! Hope everyone arrived home safely and had a stupendous time!!

 

[D&DDisney]

Okay...I think the adrenaline has worn off. I've moved on to the next stage - anger, frustration and depression.

Kinda hits ya at night. I see all my neighbors houses borded up and they all leave for their hotels right around supper time. That is hard to watch. Then, when the lights go off and every little sound makes you jump. One drop of rain hits the house/windows and you want to run to the basement screaming. So many things are irritating us too. Kids behavior has changed and we all seem to be arguing or yelling at each other for no reason. And this is 4 days later.
We went to the Red Cross station in town to talk with someone yesterday. They were so nice. They gave the kids little stuffed bears and then talked with them about the storm. Talked to DH and I too. Gave us a bunch of papers on how to deal with trauma, etc. They gave out sandwiches, chips, cookies, water, and other toiletries. They told us to take some and I thought that we really didn't NEED to take these because our house wasn't so badly damaged and I felt maybe this should be for the others who lost so much. The RC people were so nice. They said, "Were you in the tornado?", then you were affected. Take a sandwich and come and talk. So we did and that was helpful.
This has been such a humbling experience. We have always considered ourselves very independent strong people, so when you have to come in and admit you need some help or take some charity, we felt so bad. Like we didn't know how to accept this - you know??
I've been on the brink of tears a lot. I'll be going about cleaning up and then all of the sudden I find myself crying. I'm trying hard not to scare the kids, but sometimes I just cant help it. Just feel like an emotional wreck!

 

[mariezp]

Oh Deb, I wish I had some great words of wisdom to offer you but all I can offer is a hug and some prayers. Glad that the Red Cross is there to help everyone recover from this tragedy. You just make sure to take care of your self while you are taking care of everyone else.

 

[D&DDisney]

Oh, and another thing. Catastrophies really help you "find out who your friends are". (or should I say FAMILY IS).
Immediately after the storm, my brother called as soon as the cell lines could get him through. He said he was coming to our house and bringing boards, flashlights, tools, ice, cooler, etc. And he was going to come THAT NIGHT. Just got in the car and came. Turns out he couldn't get through because of all the trees and power lines down and EMS all over the place. So he called to say he'll try again tomorrow. He arrived at 6am to help DH board up windows and put tarps on stuff. He was even late for work, but said he didn't care cuz family comes first. He also brought supplies after work too.

Then there's my in-laws who called to ask what they could do. When DH told them we couldn't get out and if they could bring _____, they suddenly said they couldn't get to our house. (This was 2 days after the storm)
But the prize goes to my sis who never once called and who finally today makes a small comment on my FB page that she didn't realize the extent of the damage and thinks we'll be suffering from post stress for a while. ARE YOU FLIPPING SERIOUS??????? People in other states knew how hard we were hit but you didn't and couldn't find time to call?????

Suddenly this song started going through my mind...
YOU FIND OUT WHO YOUR FRIENDS ARE - By Tracy Lawrence
http://www.cmt.com/videos/tracy-lawrence/160946/find-out-who-your-friends-are.jhtml

Thanks TKers for being good friends!!!!:

 

[D&DDisney]

Oh Deb, I wish I had some great words of wisdom to offer you but all I can offer is a hug and some prayers. Glad that the Red Cross is there to help everyone recover from this tragedy. You just make sure to take care of your self while you are taking care of everyone else.

Thanks Marie!

 

[LivinInTheCastle]

Gosh you're fast! (and next door...). Seriously, Walter has broken my heart. He is possibly the best baby in the world!

Thank you Kitty! I think so to, He loved all his TK aunties!

Such beautiful people!

Awww.... you are so sweet!

I want a baby now. Have to tell the BF Friday.

I think you should!! Let us know how that conversation goes!

Awww, great pic!!!! I guess y'all didn't get kicked out of the hotel tonight?

By the grace of God!! LOL!!

So glad you all had fun!

What a beautiful baby boy!!!

Thanks so much. Walter found a QVC tour brochure and was "chewing" on it. He must have wanted to come meet you!